These scrumptious brownies bring together the best of two worlds ~ my all-time favorite chocolate chip cookies ... and a close-second-favori...

CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE DOUGH BROWNIES - AND THE GREAT GANACHE DEBATE

These scrumptious brownies bring together the best of two worlds ~ my all-time favorite chocolate chip cookies ... and a close-second-favorite classic brownies.  It's a combination that just had to be tried.  No questions asked.

Well, and just as expected, they are indeed quite tasty!  And quite simple, too.

You mix up a batch of brownie batter, put it in the pan, and then drop spoonfuls of chocolate chip cookie dough all over the top so it looks kind of like this:

Bake it all up until the brownie part is all cooked up, and the cookie part is golden brown.  You want something like this:

Now, the only problem with this recipe is that it has caused "The Great Ganache Debate" in our household.  The original recipe calls for topping the brownie yumminess with a layer of ganache.  I had never made ganache before, and had always thought it was difficult.  I was sooooo wrong!  It's way easy.  And apparently, ganache is a new word to Mark.  He thinks it sounds funny, and will now go around the house just randomly saying the word ganache.  I hope this is a phase that passess quickly.

Anyway - the first batch I made, I followed the original recipe and put on the ganache topping.  Don't get me wrong - it's very good this way!  But me being me always tinkering with recipes, I wondered how it would be without the ganache topping.  Both my husband and I found the topping to be a bit overpowering - kind of taking over the whole taste of the brownie.

Ingredients

  • Brownies:
  • 1 box of brownie mix + ingredients listed on the box. (Or, a batch of your favorite brownie batter.)
  • Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough:
  • I found that a 1/2 batch of standard chocolate chip cookie dough batter was the perfect amount.  Here are the measurements for a 1/2 batch of dough.
  • 1/2 c. (1 stick) unsalted butter
  • 1/4 c. + 1/8 c. granulated sugar
  • 1/4 c. + 1/8 c. packed brown sugar
  • 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 1 egg
  • 1 1/8 c. all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1/2 tsp. baking soda
  • 6 oz. semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • Chocolate Ganache:
  • 12 oz. semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 3/4 c. heavy whipping cream
  • 6 T. unsalted butter

Directions

  1. Prepare the Brownie Batter: Prepare the brownie batter, according to the package directions (or according to your favorite brownie's recipe). Place brownie batter in a greased 9x13" pan.
  2. Prepare the Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough: In a large bowl combine butter, sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla; beat until creamy. Beat in egg. Combine flour, salt, and baking soda. Gradually add flour mixture to sugar mixture; mix well. Stir in chocolate chips.
  3. Drop by spoonfuls onto the brownie batter. Using the palm of your hand, push the cookie dough down into the brownie batter just a little bit.
  4. Bake: Bake for 35-40 minutes in a 350 degree preheated oven. When they’re done, take them out and let them cool completely (for about an hour).
  5. Prepare the Chocolate Ganache: (skip this step for the naked version) In a small saucepan, heat cream and butter until just before the boiling stage. Pour over the chocolate chips. Let sit for about 30 seconds. Stir until smooth. I found that whisking the mixture with a fork worked great to get the chocolate chips melted and the ganache smooth. Pour ganache over the brownies and let set before cutting.


Enjoy!

Read more at http://www.thekitchenismyplayground.com/2011/02/chocolate-chip-cookie-dough-brownies.html#OdD5SMe8XYKC7WHb.99

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